Monday, February 23, 2009

Are they cute or what! Well they are making me nuts! And I love them dearly!

This is youngest sister Gia and her husband elect, come this Saturday, Greg. Hes not new around here, it just took him almost a decade to decide if he actually wanted to be a legal part of our loving group of squirrels we call family. He will really be questioning his decision come Sunday morning. Cause we will all be dressed up in our Sunday go to meetin best and puttin on our purtiest grins and attempting our very best behavior. Oh, and Gina and Lannie will be there...I said attempting, Gina does like a good party!

This wonderful occasion has really been put together in a very short time. Like less than 6 months. It has gone from a quaint little family gathering to what we call our very own "Big Fat Greek Wedding". Literally, it is. Sorry Gia, Vegas is out for sure now. It is being held in the huge Greek Orthodox Church in the big city. We're going to stay in a fancy hotel and everything. We have reservations!

She has the big fluffy long wedding dress and veil. Yes I finished the veil in time. The big 3 tier cake with tiny little icing cherry blossoms and a red velvet grooms cake shaped like an armadillo, just kidding. And the huge reception with fancy foods and probably two forks and two spoons for every person. There are musicians so there will be dancing. And toasts, NO NOT by me! But its coming from Greg's brother, so who knows, they may wish is were me by the time he is through! So we are only 5 days to the big event and I think sister still has hair although I'm not certain after talking to her on the phone just now. Greg tells her today that they MUST have programs for the wedding. They MUST have! EVERY wedding has programs! Programs? I go to the church expecting a wedding to take place. There is a priest, bride and a groom and some other guy. They go to the front of the church. Priest says stuff. They put on rings. Kiss. Done. Married. Walk out and drink booze. Program schmogram. So Gia's making a program. Five days Gia, breath, its only five more days.

We are all really looking forward to this fun weekend. And it will last all weekend long. A nice cocktail party on Friday night, the wedding Saturday afternoon, reception and dance Saturday night, and a breakfast on Sunday morning. That's a pretty big thing for us. Since a nice time for us usually consists of renting two movies instead of one to go with the pizza.

So be watching for some fantastic photos of the uniting of two more beautiful people in this world. It really will be great and I could not be happier for any two people in the world. They are totally fitted for each other in every way. Both are exceptional people with the biggest hearts ever and I know without a doubt would do anything for me or anyone else who had a need. They deserve a wonderful wedding and a long and lasting life together. And by golly they are just cute together!

I wonder if Greg knows its customary in the Greek tradition for the groom to give the brides oldest sister a new car?

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Isnt it beautiful! Kind of a new trend among quilters who live on farms. I have seen pictures of them in my quilters magazines but this was the first one I had ever seen in person. I really love it. I wish I had a barn so I could paint one. I thought about painting one on the side of my house. Needs painting anyway. Somehow it just isnt the same. This wonderful old barn resides in the beautiful hills of North Carolina. I saw one other one too, but its pretty impossible in some places to turn around on those roads. And yes, this really was exciting for me...as sisters roll their eyes.

So that was a fun conversation. Later came. "Ok, so I want to take you and Gina to Zacks cabin in the mountains in North Carolina." Cool, sounds like fun, when we going? "Jan 29 and come home Feb 2." Ok, Im in.

And then of course its time for me to get sick. After all its been 2 years since my last bad in the bed wanna die pleeeeese kill me now sickness. And I am in bed from Jan 11 to the 20th. Doing exactly what the doctors told me to do. Stay in bed, drink lots of fluids take your antibiotics. Done. Got sicker every single day. How is this happening? I am suppose to get a little BETTER every day, not worse. So as the new president is being sworn in on tv, I decide that I cant breath. I went in to one of my coughing fits and ended up on the kitchen floor wondering if this was it for me. No air going in is not a good thing is what Im thinking. So I lay here on the floor waiting to pass out and either die or start breathing and be ok. I usually like it when I have only 2 things to choose from, makes it easier most of the time. But I was just not real sure about those 2 options at the time. I guess cause I wasnt going to know the choice my body made till I either hear the harps or the sirens. Hmmmm...maybe I should calm down and make myself breath, that would be a better option. And by golly it finally worked.

I guessed Mr Obama can become President Obama without me watching on tv, and he seems like a nice sort a guy so Im thinking that he wouldnt mind if I go see a doctor now and maybe watch all this later on the news. Luckily Lara was working in the clinic. Sometimes I do get lucky, and I was glad this was one of those times. I didnt even get through signing in at the window and she said, "Im admitting you." I attempted the argument just to make it look good, knowing all along that was really the only option. Kitchen floor vs. hospital bed. Well, ok.

5 days later, awol time. I have had just about all of that tiny 5x5 room I could take. Of course they took good care of me. They all know me, and want me to get well so I can cook for them. Even though the kitchen did try to secretly kill me by serving me every single thing that I put on my allergy list! Just wait till I cook for them one day!

I get home just in time to lay on the couch all day long on my 50th birthday. It would have been a great day if I didnt feel like crap and hurt all over. I had spent 2 weeks in a bed propped up like a drunk against a tree and my ass just throbbed! And not in a good way. So bad that I could even sit on the couch, I had to lay on my side on the couch, and my sides hurt too, and my back, and my front and my top and my bottom. Just a crappy few days there. To go along with the crappy past few weeks.

Mom did make a wonderful scrumptious supper on Tuesday night for mine and Seths birthday. We all ate like it was for sure our last meal.

Thursday came and Gina and I drove to pick up Gia and head to the airport. Gia made sure there would be the golf cart people there to pick us up because I certainly wasnt up to walking farther than the nearest chair. I kind of think they were glad I had been sick. Seems they really liked getting to ride everywhere. Maybe they will take along the old sister with a cane for more trips.

The flight up was perfect. Smooth as could be for the tiniest plane on earth! Good thing Gina had lost 8 pounds, if she hadnt, one of us would have been sitting on the floor. Cause these 2 asses just barely fit in those two seats. Seats that were made for elementary children. And definitely legless people, and shoulderless people. Basically if you had just a skinny body and no limbs, you would fit just fine. Gia had a wonderful seat mate. Cute little old lady that instantly fell asleep and looked like a bobble head on a dirt road. The bathroom was fun too. The door is so small you have to squeeze in sideways, as far as you can, duck to miss the door way. Suck in your gut so you can close the door. Get your pants down without bending your arms. Squat on the tiny hole. Pee, and attempt a wipe. Stand, but not up straight, or you bang your head on the ceiling. Its only shoulder tall to me in there. Get your pants back up again without bending your arms. Wash your hands in 3 tablespoons of water and a drop of soap, dry them on your pants. Check your hair in the circus mirror. And squeeze sideways out the door. You kind of look like a contortionist exiting a shoebox. I think I had more room in my carry on.

We make it to the rental car. Drive to the exit gate where Gia asks the gate attendant, "Did you hear that?" Yup, go get another car. Good, cause this one stinks! And someone shook up a bottle of big red and spewed it all over the back seat, doors and ceiling. Felt like a walmart cart, sticky everywhere. New car and we are on the road!

Well we went about 2 blocks anyway. Girls have gotta eat dont they? And they especially have to eat when they see Cracker Barrel. And they have to buy stuff too. Like the cutest little colored glass water glasses with roosters on them! My girls are so good to me.

And back on the road we finally made it to Gregs parents house. Gorgeous place. Wonderful warm and welcoming people.

Get a load of Harry flipping our breakfast eggs! What a hoot! They took the greatest care of us while we were there. Just like family!

After spending the night, we ventured out to the mountains. Beautiful drive. So totally opposite of Texas. We stopped for a load of groceries. And I do mean a load! That car was packed! The road was tiny and sweet and cozy.And the cabin...PERFECT!

Well good thing we didnt try this trip at night! Even Ginasgps was confused and probably scared to death of being lost forever and eaten by bears or old mountain men.

At the cabin and unloaded, I head for the couch and the fireplace. Which would be my daily agenda for the next 5 days.

The girls had other plans. They hiked a bit. Chopped wood for the fireplace.

Cooked. Played beautyshop. Put away several quarts of moonshine and a couple cases of beer. All to my one bottle of wine. But I had drugs on my side. Moonshine, beer, haircolor...hmmmm, does THAT sound like something YOU would try only weeks before your big fat greek wedding? I think NOT! But never, and I mean NEVER put anything past these two! And never ever get drunker than they are. There are no guarantees of the outcome of that situation! So this is Gina with her first attempt to foil color Skunks...I mean Gias hair. It was really something to watch! Like Lucy and Ethel.

And of course she talked to the lovey dovey smoochy hoochysweetypeety honey bunny boyfriend! Like every hour or so. They would have talked more often, but in between they had email. Jeez, just marry the poor schmuck already and get it over with!

And THAT was our first big sisters adventure. It was a total blast, and we still love each other! No really, we do! Gias about to be 40 and Gina 45. I just turned 50. Gia was whining about why did it take us this long to take a trip together. Gina said cause we like you now. I said, If you had offered to pay 10 years ago, we would have gone then!

So they take me to the airport on Monday cause I have to work the next day. They decided they deserved to stay a few more days. At work on Tuesday, I get an email from Gia. A sweet little website she has set up for our vacation. Along with pics of a snowman, and them sledding down the back hill on several inches of beautiful white snow. Not a drop while I was there. Bitches!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

And fabric shopping is one of my all time favorite pass times. I decided a day all to myself would be a great thing. And it was. With nothing but walmart in town, I ventured off to Temple making Hobby Lobby the first stop. Nothing in purple that would work. So I went to Hancock and spent over an hour there. Not being able to decide which I wanted, I needed to call Sally and get her opinion. A really good time to have forgotten my phone. None of these choices seemed to be her anyway. So I left empty handed. Next stop a nice lunch all by myself. I actually like to do that, eat alone in restaurants, even though I dont know anyone else that does. So after all the shopping I could handle, I finally got home in the early afternoon. I think that was maybe the very first time in my life I had left town without telling a single sole where I was going. And I am sure it will be the last.

I turned the corner to my house and there were cars everywhere. I saw sister Ginas, sister in law Debbys, Johns truck, and my pastor Trishs car. Of course they all show up on the day I go shopping! And this just might be my surprise birthday party! It was 2 weeks ago, but it could happen! But it didnt.

I walked in the front door. Everyone just kind of walking around acting busy. Hellos and where you beens. As I get to the kitchen, they seem to close in around me. And wouldnt let me by. Someone took my bags and my purse. I remember not wanting to let them go, dont know why or what I was thinking. John came into the circle with me and said "Sallys gone, Sallys dead." I dropped my bottle of coke.

I remember an instant anger at him. I yelled at him. "Dont say that to me!" Over and over. I knew it wasnt his fault, but I had to be angry at someone. I really dont remember a lot more about that day. The most vivid memory was when I sat on the couch crying. And my little Henry, Ginas littlest only 3 at the time, climbed on the couch and stood behind me. He put his tiny arm around my shoulder and just pat me. "Its ok Georgia, I love you, its ok." He would lay his little head on my shoulder and as much as I hurt, that tiny little man was the only thing that could make a difference. It was if he was filling the huge cracks that were happening in my heart. He can still do that to this day.

I called Mike, Sallys husband. He said that she never called him that morning to tell him she was on her way home. She always did. He called her all morning, till around noon. Then he finally called Linda. She assumed Sally was already gone as usual. But she wasnt. She was in the same position as when Linda left her the night before. Just as she had fallen asleep. There were no reasons for it at all. She simply went to sleep, and didnt wake up.

She died the exact way she that she wanted to. She had told me this several times only months before. We discussed it in June in Arizona, when we were standing at the edge of the grand canyon. We held hands and she prayed. Praising God for the awesome beauty he had created for us to share together. And for our sisterhood and all we meant to each other. She prayed for the little old man in the diner she had bought lunch for the day before. Must have been in his 80s, he wore a skirt and lipstick and rouge and carried a purse. She prayed for the little Indian woman that sat in the room behind us at a weaving loom day after day. She could pray like no one I have ever heard. And could go on and on till I would finally say AMEN, if I could get it in between her catching a breath! As we stood there looking down at the river, she just suddenly out of the blue said, "Some day I will just go to sleep and wake up face to face with Jesus". Thats how I want to go and thats how it will be." It will be a glorious wonderful day! He will take my hand and lead me in. There will be singing and worshiping from then on. Ill see dad and grandma Lily and Holly. I hope Ill see mom. Im so ready! I would go this instant!" My answer was, "Step away from the canyon!" We laughed and went on with the rest of our vacation. Now, some of the most precious memories I have.

Only a month later, I had to call her and tell her that Cory, my nephew, had died. She was here from MN the very next day. And spent a whole week with me, with us, because she was part of our family. I told her she didnt have to come. But she said she had to come to take care of me so that I could take care of Debby and Kevin. She was right of course. I could not have made it without her strength and presence. We were sitting in the porch swing after midnight one night, when she brought it up again, the way she would wake up face to face with Jesus. And that she was excited for Cory and what he was getting to do at that very moment. When she left, it was the last time I saw her.

I talked to Angie, Sallys daughter in college in Fargo. All she could say was, "Can you come? Please get here as fast as you can. I need you here." Trish made all the arrangments. All I know is Mike and Angie met me at the airport. There was snow everywhere and it was really cold. We went to Lindas house to get Sallys van. I couldnt go in any further than the front door. It was the first time I had met Linda and I dont even remember it. When we got in the van and turned it on, the radio was blaring loud. Crazy loud! Just as she would have listened to it playing the recent Dove awards CD. Song #13. I could hear her singing at the top of her lungs, praising God. Her most favorite thing in the world to do. On the 2 or more hour drive to Mikes parents house, we played that song over and over and over. Mike gave it to me. I play it over and over and over.

Over the next 5 days, the house filled with people. They made me a part of them. Mike made arrangments for a viewing at the funeral home one evening, then cremation, and a beautiful service at a huge church. We sat for hours going through pictures to make posters and set them at the funeral home. Angie and I made a scrap book with lots of pages for people to write their thoughts of Sally. It was full by the end of the evening. I could not believe how many people were there. She had only been in Minnesota for 5 years. How could you know that many people in that short of time. What a stupid thought! Sally was the difination of "people person" She never knew a stranger...none any stranger that Georgia! she would say.

I finally made my way to the casket at the other end of this huge room. I stood there staring at this body I did not recognize. My heart knew it was her, my mind was totally confused. She was propped up on 2 pillows. Damn near sitting up right! Her hair was nothing like I had ever seen. She was made up like teenager ready for a hot date. I just stared, in shock at what I was seeing. She had lost 60 pounds, on purpose with diet and exercise. She had a mole removed that she always hated. She had her EARS PIERCED and didnt even tell me! For 15 years I had ragged her for not getting her ears pierced, and there they were, tiny diamond studs. She had laser surgery on her eyes, no longer needing glasses. WHO WAS THIS? All of this was suppose to surprise me when I came up for her birthday/graduation. Well by God, it worked!!! I was certainly surprised! Mike came over to see if I was ok and I started laughing. And told him what I thought about it. the lady that worked there heard me and came over to help. I told her, "We're not playing cards here, shes dead, cant she lay down now?" I pulled out one of the pillows and pushed the other one down so that she laid flat, or at least flatter. I ran my fingers thru her hair to fluff it and make itmore like she wore it. I used tissues to get rid of the red blush and the blue eyeshadow and the red lipstick. Had the woman put her on some light pink lipstick and leave her alone. Then as I pulled up a chair beside her and I cried. Before I left I clipped a lock of her hair, she wouldnt mind.

The memorial service the next day was just beautiful. I could not understand why they chose this huge auditorium instead of the little church that they had always gone to. The one Sally loved. But as that auditorium filled, I knew why...it FILLED! I was in shock of the amount of people. Hundreds of people. Afterwards at the reception, I heard from everyone I spoke with how much Sally and I looked alike, I know, and how they didnt even know Sally had a sister, I didnt correct that one either. My heart will filled with the many many many stories that I heard of how Sally had touched their lives. How she had helped them out in different times of need, in so many different situations. How they had just met her but she had sent them a cheerful card or made a phone call to say hello. How she had paid them to do jobs for her instead of making them feel like they were taking handouts. How she had paid for their semester of books for college because they were a single parent and couldnt afford them. (And HERE is where the scholorship comes from!) About how she had given some rides to the doctor, or brought them bags of groceries, or boxes of Christmas gifts for their kids. How she had prayed for them, how she had lead them to Jesus and their eternal greatfullness to her for it. Story after story was the heart of the Sally I knew and loved. The most selfless person I had ever known. The strongest christian who lived her life to always be a BETTER christian than she thought she was. Not possible.

Mike and Angie went shopping one day for a suitable wooden box to put the ashes in. They returned so proud of what they had found. It was a beautiful box stained wood with fabric on top that would have matched her new bedroom. When I opened it, I started laughing. I laughed so hard there were tears. It was a sewing box! Sally didnt even know there were eyes in a needle for thread! She hot glued buttons on when they came off, and stapled the hem of her skirts! A sewing box! How appropriate! Mike, Angie and I brought the ashes back to bury beside her beloved daddy. We had a sweet short service at the cemetary on Valentines day. It warmed up to close to 80 degrees and the sun was brighter than ever before. A most perfect day.

Later on, Mike and I discussed Sallys graduation. He said they would just mail her diploma to him. But I had taken 2 weeks off from work to be there. This was so very important to her. She had worked so hard for this. She had 3.9 gpa, that really pissed her off, whe really wanted that 4.0. She deserved for someone to go to her ceremony in her place. He agreed and made arrangments for he and I to step up and receive her diplomas for her. Gina drove me up there so I didnt have to go alone. Gina would never make me go through anything alone, she is always there.

The graduation was unbelievable! A tiny christian college in the shape of a cross. And her impact on this school and its instructors, students, office personel, everyone there, was just as unbelieveable. The same stories as before. Several people talked about her and what she meant to the school and to them. Of her caring and christian way of life. The committees she was on, prayer groups, student help groups. They did a washing of the feet, where the dean of the school washed the feet of the students. She not only received her diploma with honors, but awards too. I cant remember them all right now, but will post pictures later when I figure out how.

This was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have ever done in my life.

Before we left MN, Mike gave me Sallys car. The one she left Rockdale in, her 94 Corsica. He said Jonathan needed a car and she would want him to have it. Gina volunteered to drive it home. Which meant I would drive home alone in my Blazer. 24 hours. Alone. Damn.

I think we barely got to the interstate when the past few days came crashing in on me. I started crying and screaming and cursing and laughing and praying and pleading and crying and screaming and.........it lasted for hours and hours. Finally we got to Iowa. I saw a billboard. I needed to stop and see the covered bridges of Madison county. I have no idea if it was THE bridges of Madison county. But I didnt care, I HAD to see them. And of course Gina abliges, following me miles out of the way...to look at a bridge. And see the house that John Wayne was born in. Guess I can say Ive seen it all now. John Waynes birthplace and the covered bridges and the biggest ball of twine in the world. I am blessed.

Now back on the road. And the crying, screaming, fit throwing resumes. Just cant seem to stop it. And in the midst of all this, I remember her birthday is on the 16th of May, just days away. How in the hell am I suppose to live through that too! We were going to go out on a day long boat trip on some lake for her birthday. Wonder what lake? Lets see there are only 10,000 to choose from in MN! Well, I could go to the lake at home all by myself for the day. And end up drowning myself more than likely. Not a good idea. Then I should have her a party just like I would have if she had been in Rockdale.

Celebrate Your Girlfriends Day is born!!!

A party, not a mourning, a real party, with food, drinks, laughter. A REAL party, lots of drinds, she loved margaritas! My mind started spinning with ideas. Im laughing and trying to take notes and not run over anyone on the interstate. Had a few scares there. And a few "idiot woman driver" looks. But it all worked out. By the time we stopped for the night I was more exhausted than I had ever been in my whole life. I dont remember if I even told Gina of my plans. I think I just became non existant for the night. But back on the highway the next day, the plans resumed. It was going to be great! And I still had about a week to do everything!

My whole idea of the party was for every woman to realize the importance of her girlfriends. To celebrate them, love them, cherish them. Tell them how much they are loved and cherished. Have fun together and make lasting life long memories. It is so much more important than anyone thinks about on a daily basis. Until you cant make any more memories with that person anymore. Or you cant tell them again that you love them and how special you think they are. So I just had to bring it to everyone attention. I got Gina, Gia and mom involved, along with every other woman I could think of on such short notice. We sent out invitations to every woman we knew and that knew Sally. We decided the night before to raffle one of moms quilts to see if we could raise a little money to get a scholorship started in her name. We raised over 300.00 that night. Over 25 women showed up! We ate, drank margaritas, beer and stayed up till who knows when. It was the greatest, most bittersweet party I had ever been to. Everyone had a wonderful time. We just HAVE to do this again next year!

The next year grew to over 30 and we gave the 300.00 to a single parent returning to school. It would be enough to buy her books! It filled my heart. She was so greatful. And we added a silent auction and another quilt as first prize to the raffle and one of my paintings as second prize. We raised enough to give away 2- 300.00 scholorships the next year. And another 600.00 last year. This year we have 1000.00 to give away. We will decide how to divide it when we receive the applications. And we may have more to add by party time.

The party this year is on May 2. The first party was on a week night because I had it on her birthday. After that we made it the first Saturday in May because of graduations and mothers day and May just gets busy for everyone. We are expecting a great turnout this year. With live music by Mary Charlotte Young (google her) from Bryan/College Station. She is young and a wonderful singer/songwriter. Very jazzy and blusy. And we are making double margaritas, because last year we almost ran out! And that many more jello shots! And more food! And who knows what else. My back yard will be full again! We are expecting over 40 and hoping for over 50!

We have great silent auction items to raise money. And everyone who comes always goes home with keepsakes. In past years we have made canvas tote bags, t-shirts, koozies, zipper coin purses all with the girlfriends logo on them. And flip flops and girlfriend photo albums and bracelets. Every thing at the party is paid for my be or my family and friends who love this as much as I do. 100% of the moneys taken in at the party go to the scholorship fund.

I have no idea who will ever read this, besides Jayne and Dee, but if even one woman tells her girlfriend how important she is to her, I will be happy.

And you are all invited to the party!!! Just email me! I WILL make room!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

This is my very first ever attempt for "blogging". I think its will be pretty interesting since I only just found out a few months ago what a blog was. Ok, so Im a late bloomer.

So first, a disclaimer...yes I know there is a spell checker thingy, and no I never use it, so get use to it. And I hate these thingys ''''''''', so I rarely use them. And sometimes words fall out of me that shouldnt, sorry. Dont read those if you dont like them. And I promise to do my best to curb my brain, and make it PG 13 at least. And I must confess, I have no idea where this will go as I have very little control over my mind these days. So read at your own risk.

I seem to be doing way too much with my life these days. And I dont really think a lot of it has much meaning to anyone, probably even to me. I just do stuff. I get involved with stuff. I say yes to way too much stuff. I have way too much stuff. Seems stuff is my life. Wow, lightbulb moment here. I need to rid my life of some stuff! And I have been working on that all day and didnt even really realize it. Guess Im doing good.

But I must admit that I also do some good stuff. Stuff for other people that makes them happy. Keeping Big Z (my mom) busy keeps everybody happy. Thats a full time job in itself! I am attempting to help Little G (my youngest sister) with her wedding. Thank you God, it will be over soon for all of our sanities. Seems everyone at work these days wants something from me. Learning to say a huge NO there. That stuff is for ME! Which leads to doing more stuff for the sole purpose of ME. Stuff I want to do, like to do and need to do. All for ME. The more I do for me, the more I like me.

But by far, the very most important thing I do in my life anymore, stuff wise, is the Celebrate Your Girlfriends Day party. This year is number 5. It is hard for me to believe that it is year number 5. For many different reasons. Good reasons, fun reasons, great reasons, and some down right crappy reasons. And some reasons that literally rip my heart out.

I am thinking I should explain the party a bit more. Other than its a party. And we drink a lot, eat a lot, and laugh a lot, and its only for women! After all, it is a celebration of our favorite people in the world, our girlfriends.

On Feb 7, 2005 Sally called me. She was totally excited and yelling in the phone, "I DID IT! I'M A COLLEGE GRADUATE! I JUST FINISHED MY LAST COLLEGE CLASS!" After years of taking classes whenever she could, she had finally finished, and turned in her final thesis. On which she made a A+ of course! I was so proud and happy to share in her excitement. We talked only a few minutes, as she was at her friend Lindas house where she would spend the night and go home to Souix Falls in the morning. Crown College where she attended, was in the Minneapolis area. She and Mike had just recently bought a house 4 hours away in Souix Falls. They stayed in a hotel for a month or more while they painted and remodeled the house. She would travel to her only class on monday nights and spend the night with Linda and go home the next morning. She really liked having the time with Linda, her little weekly vacation, she called it. They had been in the house only a week or so. Their plans were to make it into a bed and breakfast that could be used in their ministry. She gave me all the paint numbers and names to me so I could make quilts for all the rooms. And since her birthday and graduation was coming up in May, a new quilt would be a perfect gift. And since I was off work the next day, that would be the perfect time to shop for fabric.